The Svalbard Environment Act on fuel requirements for motor transport at sea


From 1 January 2024, it is no longer legal for vessels traveling with bulk cargo to or from Longyearbyen and Barentsburg to use or have on board petroleum-based fuel with a higher viscosity, density or solidification point than permitted for marine gas oil.

Published 12/29/2023

The rules in the Svalbard Environment Act on requirements for fuel for motor transport at sea came into force on 1 January 2022, but had transitional rules until 1 January 2024 for vessels traveling with bulk cargoes of coal or with general cargo transport to or from Longyearbyen and Barentsburg.

This now means that these vessels too, from 1 January 2024, must not use or have on board petroleum-based fuel with a higher viscosity, density or solidification point than permitted for marine gas oil.

See relevant legislation here (in Norwegian):